Wednesday, September 30, 2009

The Truth About Topamax For Weight Loss!

Normally, the prescription drug, Topamax (or Topiramate), is used for treatment of epilepsy and the prevention of migraine headaches. But another unexpected side effect of taking Topamax is weight loss. A reported weight loss of 16 percent in adults and 21 percent in children has been recorded. Health care providers have started prescribing certain Topamax dosage for weight loss but only for certain situations. But because Topamax is not recommended or even recognized as drug or medication for weight loss by the US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA), this becomes an “off label” prescription or use of drug.

An “off label” prescription of a particular drug is used when the particular drug, i.e., Topamax, used to treat a medical condition or disease is not approved by the US FDA. The US FDA will regulate how this prescription drug can be advertised or manufactured by the producing company. However, these same regulations do not actually prohibit a health care provider from prescribing the drug for different medical conditions.

Prescription of a minimum amount of Topamax dosage for weight loss falls under an “off label” prescription. Topamax is primarily used to treat epilepsy and used, in minimal dosage, to prevent migraine headaches. But side effects have shown themselves in patients taking any amount of dosage and weight loss is one of them. To avoid the appearance of these side effects, health care providers recommend a small dose of less than 25 mg daily, split into two doses, which should be at least twelve hours apart. Do not expect a dramatic weight loss, though, as amount of weight lost is still in proportion with a person’s body weight.

Topamax has been prescribed for treatment of weight loss and obesity and to assist in the decrease of the occurrence of binge eating. However, prescription of Topamax for weight loss has also resulted in several undesirable side effects. Health reports have noted that patients who have used Topamax for weight loss have experienced memory loss and difficulty in concentration.

These side effects make it more difficult to tolerate Topamax and make it harder for the drug to work effectively. This is the reason why Topamax will not be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration as a recommended prescription drug for weight loss because there is no balance. Prescribing Topamax has proven tricky because an intake of excess dosage can result in undesirable effects that can lead to something more dangerous. Common side effects include a change in taste, diarrhea, nausea and dizziness. Dangerous side effects include memory problems, fatigue, confusion and impairment of fine motor skills.

If excess dosage or intake of topamax is ingested, complications may include an overdose, which is apparent through seizures, speech problems, blurred vision, loss of coordination, loss of consciousness and coma, muscle weakness and bone pain. Because of this, despite the result, any amount of Topamax dosage and weight loss is not a good combination. It may lead to undesirable results that can turn fatal.

Make it a great day!

Chris Walker

Kitchener's Weight Loss expert! Chris Walker has helped thousands obtain " permanent weight loss, quick and easy everytime!" To download a free copy of "Why Can't I Lose Weight? How to lose 10 pounds in 30 days visit http://www.chriswalkersfitness.com/

Monday, September 28, 2009

Proven Weight Loss Nutrition Secrets!

Are you one of those people struggling with weight loss? Nutrition is important, but one of the first things dieters try is some level of starvation. Unfortunately, starvation deprives the body of nutrition. Rather than triggering weight loss, starvation causes weight retention and weight gain.

How do you respond to your excess weight? Do you deprive yourself of food? Have you tried various fad diets or diet pills that claim to help you lose weight? Was exercise part of your weight loss plan?

If you have tried all these methods and you still haven't lost weight, there is a good reason. There's more to it than that.

Here are the elements you need to achieve weight loss:

- nutrition in sufficient quantities that do not include any fattening foods, junk food, sweet foods, and the like
- exercise to increase your body's demands for energy
- breathing exercises to encourage weight loss
- consistency and persistence

You can't expect to achieve weight loss if nutrition is not adequate. Junk food and other empty foods do nothing for you but add weight. While the energy they provide might make you feel good and help you to perform, they are short term solutions.

Let's take a look at each aspect of weight loss.

Nutrition: You want to choose non-fattening foods that maintain the nutrient levels your body requires. If your body doesn't get them, it will hold on to whatever food it gets as a survival tactic. Look for low and no-fat foods. Make sure you eat fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meat (preferably chicken or salmon rather than red meat), and calcium rich foods like cheese and skim milk.

Exercise: Develop a suitable workout for you and practice it at a minimum of 30 minutes per day. Make sure it's an exercise you enjoy. Walking, swimming, cycling are all excellent exercises for weight loss. Nutritious snacks will provide you with appropriate energy that will quickly burn off during exercise.

Deep Breathing: Several times throughout the day, practice deep breathing for about 15 minutes each session. This will help your body to burn energy.

Consistency & Persistence: No weight loss, nutrition plan or exercise will help you to lose weight if you don't follow through consistently and with persistence. You might lose weight after your first week or two, but if you start wavering or skimping on your plan, or worse, cheating on your meals, you'll stop losing. In fact, you'll probably gain weight.

One final tip, eat 5-6 smaller meals throughout the day rather than 3 big meals, and avoid eating within four hours of your bedtime. You might already know that eating before going to bed can disrupt your sleep. In some people, it causes indigestion because the body slows at night.

Eating at this late hour can cause you to get improper sleep and it can cause you to gain weight.

Follow these tips for weight loss: nutrition and exercise according to your weight loss plan, and you'll soon see results.


Make it a great day!

Chris Walker

Kitchener's Weight Loss expert! Chris Walker has helped thousands obtain " permanent weight loss, quick and easy everytime!" To download a free copy of "Why Can't I Lose Weight? How to lose 10 pounds in 30 days visit http://www.chriswalkersfitness.com/

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Complications & Gastric Bypass Surgery

A lot of people these days are considering having gastric bypass surgery and are wondering about any complication gastric bypass surgery may cause. The bad news is that there aren’t a lot of resources available for people. Some of the resources that are available are often written in medical language and hard understand. This is why there is a huge demand for this type of information to be written in easy to understand language that the everyday person, the type of people are most likely considering the surgery, can read. This is why we have put together the following guide to help you better understand some of the risks and complications gastric bypass surgery may result in.

It is important to remember that there are a lot of different forms of this surgery; this is why there can’t be one comprehensive guide for all of these different forms of the surgery. Due to this reason, the following guide is just a general list of risks and complications gastric bypass surgery can result in. It is important to remember that this guide should not replace professional help; you should always consult your doctor or medical health professional before considering any types of surgery or taking any medications. Secondly, you should note that everyone’s body will react differently to the surgery and healing times as well as any complications might be specific to the person.

In the most extreme conditions complications gastric bypass surgery causes can lead to death. It’s important to remember that this is really rare and only occurs in about one per 200 to 300 surgeries. The risk factor of a result as serious as this will all depend on many different things including your age, weight, and overall medical health condition.

Perhaps one of the most common complications from this surgery, although it is still extremely rare, is blood clots in the legs. These are more likely to appear in extremely overweight people that are classified as morbidly obese. There are many risks factors that are commonly associated with blood clots. If you are concerned about the likelihood of these complications gastric bypass surgery can potentially cause such as blood clots, you should always consult your doctor or medical health professional in order to get their medical opinion. In some cases your doctor may refer you to someone that specializes in gastric bypass recovery.

Another set of complications gastric bypass surgery is known to cause is leaking at one of the staples on the stomach. For the most part this complication can be treated with antibiotics and most people will make a full recovery quite easily. However there are some rare cases where this condition might need emergency surgery in order to correct it. This is perhaps one of the most rare complications in recent years as the risks of this type of surgery steadily decrease. If you have any questions about this medical procedure or complications caused by gastric bypass surgery, the best thing you can do is consult your medical healthcare professional or doctor to get their medical opinion.


Make it a great day!

Chris Walker

Kitchener's Weight Loss expert! Chris Walker has helped thousands obtain " permanent weight loss, quick and easy everytime!" To download a free copy of "Why Can't I Lose Weight? How to lose 10 pounds in 30 days visit http://www.chriswalkersfitness.com/

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

How To Stay Motivated Using A Printable Weight Loss Charts!

A weight loss chart serves as a guide when you embark on your own personal weight loss mission. It can help record and track your progress and keep you on track for your goals. A weight loss chart is a great diet companion and can provide help when you need to refer to it.

The charts can show you your weekly and monthly weight loss. This is fantastic motivation as you see where all your hard work is going. There is nothing like being reminded you have lost 5 lbs, 10 pounds or more. Then it doesn’t hurt to be reminded when you slip up and add back a pound or so.

It is easy to make your own weight loss chart but it is easier and faster to download a free chart from the internet. Many websites offer free weight loss charts. Ideally you need to print it out so that you can physically write on the chart.

This means you need to search for a printable weight loss chart. These charts will come in a format which easily prints on your home printer. Non-printable charts will require you to enter the information on your computer, something which is not always convenient or practical.

Turning on the computer to record your progress can be a hassle. That is why a printable weight loss chart is the most ideal method of recording your data. Once you print out your weight loss chart, hang it up in a location that is easily visible to you. There is little point storing the chart away; it’s best to hang it from a wall.

If you don’t want your family members or visitors seeing the chart there are several other areas you can use. Obviously the most convenient place would be the back of your bathroom door. Another convenient place would be the back of your bedroom door.

But the one place where it could really help you is the refrigerator door. Think about it for a minute. Every single time you went to grab another unhealthy snack it would be staring you eye ball to eye ball.

Why do weight loss charts help?

They allow you to quickly record your daily progress. You can write down what you've eaten, the exercise you've done and of course, your weight for the day.

When is the best time to weigh?

It is best to weigh yourself first thing in the morning, before eating anything, as this is when your most accurate weight is portrayed. It is vital to only weigh yourself at the same time each day to avoid fluctuations and inaccuracies.

It's a fantastic idea to keep an accurate and regular record of your weight loss progress. This is one of the best ways for you to stay motivated and on track to achieve your weight loss goals. Printable weight loss charts from the internet are free and easy to use, so make sure you download one today.


Make it a great day!

Chris Walker

Kitchener's Weight Loss expert! Chris Walker has helped thousands obtain " permanent weight loss, quick and easy everytime!" To download a free copy of "Why Can't I Lose Weight? How to lose 10 pounds in 30 days visit http://www.chriswalkersfitness.com/

Monday, September 21, 2009

The Wonderful Benefits Of A Christian Weight Loss Program!

Faith is a great motivator in all aspects of life, so why not use your faith to help you lose weight with a Christian weight loss program? By sharing not only your desire to lose weight but your faith as well, you can really create a strong bond with other members of the program. Bonding with others is the first step to open and honest relationships that can be a great motivator for helping you lose weight.

Prior to starting any weight loss program or diet, you should visit your personal physician to determine if you’re healthy enough to commence any diet program. In some cases you may discover there is an underlying illness or disease, which is causing your weight gain. Once your doctor has given you a clean bill of health, then you can move forward into your diet program.

Exercise is an important and sometimes tough part of losing weight, so what to do if you just don't want to hit the gym? Walking to church, school, or work whenever the opportunity arises is a convenient way to get exercise without going far out of your way. Standing and walking around the room during or after church functions isn't necessarily exercise, but it sure burns more calories than sitting! If your church stands during hymns you should make sure to stand every time since the motion of standing and sitting is exercise, even if its only a little bit at a time.

When going to the gym is an option, finding a member of your church or another Christian, looking to lose weight, to have as a workout buddy can have a powerful positive effect. Trying to keep the pace with someone else can boost your motivation. Someone else to support and encourage you while doing your workout will help you meet your exercise goals.

Any Christian weight loss program requires a healthy diet. Make sure that the foods you eat have lots of proteins and vitamins, and have only a small amount of sugars and carbohydrates. Food that sounds bad usually is bad for you. Take devil's food cake – it’s very high in calories and fat and deviled eggs can raise your cholesterol; if you eat too many. Unfortunately, angel's food cake is not a healthy food, but it does have lower calories and fat than most other cakes.

God rewards His followers who are true to him, and a reward system can be helpful to use to keep you true to yourself. When you stick to your diet and exercise, you should treat yourself to a little something. Once a week, partake in one of the little snacks that are put out after congregation.

Whenever you reach one of your weight loss goals go out and buy that smaller size pair of jeans you've been dreaming of fitting into. The important thing with rewards is to reward yourself just enough to keep you going, without indulging.

Most weight loss programs with a Christian theme are inexpensive and simple to use. These programs range from books that you can buy to online programs that offer spiritual guidance through the length of your weight loss journey. You should remember that God is there for you and those that share in Christ's love are ready to help you with your Christian weight loss program.


Make it a great day!

Chris Walker

Kitchener's Weight Loss expert! Chris Walker has helped thousands obtain " permanent weight loss, quick and easy everytime!" To download a free copy of "Why Can't I Lose Weight? How to lose 10 pounds in 30 days visit http://www.chriswalkersfitness.com/

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Your 6 Healthy Tips For The Fastest Way To Lose Weight!

Do you know the healthiest and fastest way to lose weight? Let’s face it everybody has some ideas about losing weight. After all the information is every where. It’s in every media outlet known to man. But, the question remains, do you know the fastest and healthiest way to lose the pounds and keep them off? This article will disclose 6 tips which will help you lose weight fast and best of all, keep it off. Please read on!

There is more than one way to lose weight but the basic principles are:

• Burn more calories than you consume
• Improve metabolism by exercising daily
• Avoid unhealthy foods
• Eat more good foods
• Have good genes

Ok, so you can't do much about that last factor but the other 4 are completely within your control and they can all contribute to the fastest way to loose weight.

Many bodybuilders and other sports people often need to loose weight quickly for a competition. However, their bodies are different from yours and mine. Generally you will find that their bodies’ metabolism is usually very fast, therefore they can strip off the pounds quicker. So how do you a regular person loose weight fast? Here are some tips:

1. Eat a big breakfast
It may sound ironic, but eating a lot at breakfast can help you lose weight fast. Breakfast is the most vital meal of the day and a well balanced meal here will really lessen your appetite during the day. You'll also have the entire day to burn the calories eaten at breakfast. A good breakfast should include whole grain cereal mixed with fruits. A blended fruit juice is also ideal.

2. Small meals
The rest of your day should consist of small light meals. Aim for another 4 to 5 small meals throughout the day. By sticking to small rather than large meals you are constantly burning calories without feeling hungry.

3. What to eat
Sticking to vegetables will assist in the fastest way to loose weight. Meat will have you putting on weight but, if you aren’t a vegetarian, you may not want to cut out meat altogether. Fish is a low fat alternative as is chicken. Stick to very lean red meats and only eat it once or twice per week maximum.

4. Snacks
You don’t have to forego snacks to lose weight fast. Your snacks simply must be low calorie. Consider an apple, strawberries or a bunch of blueberries as a snack. Not only are they healthy but also delicious.

5. Exercise
You can’t lose weight fast without exercise. Depending how fast you wish to lose weight, you may need to exercise intensely everyday. This means running or walking for at least 30 minutes twice per day. You should also incorporate some resistance training as the gaining of muscle results in the faster loss of fat.

6. Drink plenty of water
Your whole body will benefit from drinking plenty of water. Not only will it help you get rid of the extra fluid your body retains, but it will flush other toxins from your system. Being fully hydrated also will help increase your metabolism.

The fastest way to lose weight need not be a dangerous or unhealthy way. Sticking to a well controlled diet and exercise plan will have you losing the pounds in no time at all.


Make it a great day!

Chris Walker

Kitchener's Weight Loss expert! Chris Walker has helped thousands obtain " permanent weight loss, quick and easy everytime!" To download a free copy of "Why Can't I Lose Weight? How to lose 10 pounds in 30 days visit http://www.chriswalkersfitness.com/

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Healthy Meals at School!

We all want our children to be safe and healthy, even when we can’t watch them 24/7. One way to keep them healthy is to make sure they eat right, but if we don’t prepare all their meals ourselves, that’s hard to do. Schools are taking steps towards making school lunches healthier, but you still may need to step in to make sure your child is being given healthy options.

There are programs in place that require certain nutritional standards to be met. Within these standards, there are a lot of menu options schools can choose so that children can be given a variety of foods while staying nutritious and within the school’s means. There are a few problems with this plan. First, the dietary guidelines set out for school may not comply with what you think it healthy for your child. Second, schools receive funding for following guidelines, but they are still not required to abide by them.

To allow for variations in what you and your child think is healthy, some schools are allowing students not to take one or more menu options. While this generally only happens in high schools, more middle and elementary schools are allowing it. For this to work, you must teach your child to make healthy choices.

If you question the nutritional value of your child’s lunch, you can either request menus be sent to you, or if possible, go have lunch with them a few times and see what they’re eating. If you don’t feel the menu meets high enough standards, make that known. Talk to the principal, the PTA, the school board, or the person in charge of menu planning. Find other parents who agree with you and take a stand.

It seems the most logical option to ensure your child is eating right at school is just to give them a sack lunch. The problem is, there’s no guarantee your child is eating their lunch and not someone else’s. There are only so many teachers that can monitor lunch time, and unless your child has strict dietary restrictions, they really can’t ensure there isn’t lunch trading going on. Again, it is your responsibility to teach your child healthy eating habits.

While you may feel that schools should be required to serve healthy lunches, that doesn’t mean they do. Many steps are being taken in the right direction, but you may need to help give those nutritional programs a nudge. Just remember that not all people view healthy food the same and you may need to make concessions depending on how strict your think your child’s diet should be.


Make it a great day!

Chris Walker

Kitchener's Weight Loss expert! Chris Walker has helped thousands obtain " permanent weight loss, quick and easy everytime!" To download a free copy of "Why Can't I Lose Weight? How to lose 10 pounds in 30 days visit http://www.chriswalkersfitness.com/

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

3 Herbal Teas and How they Benefit Your Health!

While herbal remedies have been used in some cultures for centuries, other societies have just begun to accept their benefits. Even now, some people still rely on modern medicine for problems that can be treated effectively with an herbal remedy because they are leery about them. A great way to get the benefits of herbs without taking supplements is to brew them into a tea. You then get the benefits along with a great tasting drink. Here are three great herbal teas and what they can do to help you.

Valerian Tea

Valerian has been used for centuries to help with a whole host of medical problems. Most recently it has been used to calm nerves and even soothe severe anxiety and restlessness. It is a great tea to enjoy at the end of the day when you want to unwind and relax. Because it acts as a sedative, Valerian is often used to cure insomnia and get a restful night’s sleep. It is commonly used to help with cramps and digestive problems such as irritable bowel syndrome.

You should also be wary of continued use because it can become addictive and produce withdrawal symptoms if you stop using it.

When making Valerian tea, do not use boiling water. You can decrease its potency; just use hot water.

Echinacea

Want to be able to strengthen your immune system and better fight off viruses like that flu? Or course you do. That’s why you should try to drink Echinacea tea regularly. This tea stimulates your t cells and helps boost interferon production; both essential parts of immune functioning

A few people may be allergic to Echinacea, so if you experience any signs of an allergic reaction or an asthma attack, see a doctor immediately.

Hawthorn

If you’re looking for a natural, effective way to help improve your heart function and circulation, you should try hawthorn tea. This herb has been known to help the heart, relieve blood pressure problems, lower cholesterol, and improve circulation. It’s also an antioxidant which means it helps prevent cancer and improves overall health.

Before drinking herbal teas, taking herbal supplements, or taking any medications, you should talk to your doctor. Herbs can have side effects, complications, and drug interactions; just like prescription meds. You doctor will be able to tell you if it’s safe for you to use certain herbs or not.

If used properly, herbal teas can be a great way to naturally improve your health and help you live a happier life. If you benefit from these teas, there are many other options that you can try to maintain good health.


Make it a great day!

Chris Walker

Kitchener's Weight Loss expert! Chris Walker has helped thousands obtain " permanent weight loss, quick and easy everytime!" To download a free copy of "Why Can't I Lose Weight? How to lose 10 pounds in 30 days visit http://www.chriswalkersfitness.com/

Who the hell is Chris Walker?

My photo
Chris Walker is the founder of Fitnesstrainingformenandwomen.com located in Kitchener, Ontario. Chris manages several certified trainers, (CFT) within his organization and actively works with medical doctors and health care professionals in helping their patients to reduce bodyfat restore musculoskeletal strength and gain control over their blood sugar readings, good and bad blood fats and blood pressure readings, among other critical fitness issues. Chris has helped people to get in shape for their wedding day as well as people battling severe obesity. Chris likes to focus on functional training and likes to incorporate his martial arts background into his programs. Chris is a firm believer of a strong mind and guarantees results for those who don't mind a little hard work. Chris is a member of International Sports Sciences Association, (ISSA) and Canfitpro Organization. Chris has made media appearances on Global Television, Rogers Daytime, The Record News Paper and is a published author of many health and fitness related articles and books.